Phoenix Phire

Chapter 204 - Burning Down The House (Conclusion)

[You have been Victorious in a Greater House Battle. You have 24 hours to declare your intent.]

"Thank you, Nix." Umi bowed her head low. "I've made a dreadful mistake that nearly cost me everything."

Bael watched his niece apologize, "I too am sorry Breach Commander." As an Archon, he understood that Nix could join any of the Greater Houses. The ability to call armies to battle was an overwhelming advantage. "Thank you for saving Umi. We will depart now."

/Breach Commander: Nix: I'm sending everyone to Parliament.

[Create Breach: Parliament]

Nix sent the 12 Pillar Alliance to the Parliament. Beta left on her own after hugging Chiba one more time. Captain Locas and his company gated directly back to Loki.

/Inferno: Jun Li: All of Oasis will know now Nix. We have a Breach Commander, their borders and walls are useless.

/Inferno: Nix: Our Guild Allies have yet to step into Parliament. This is an opportunity for them to visit the shops and open up their Guild Offices there.

/Inferno: Pon: What use is that without votes?

/Inferno: Nix: Well... it's more like a gesture of goodwill.

Captain Vooni stood next to Shae, talking in quiet tones. The dragon-descended smiled when Nix approached them. "This is the actual house that the Fir'Dhassi ascended with. It must be completely destroyed."

Nix nodded. Ronnie had briefed him. The Foundation Stone must be taken and the House Destroyed. "Then what?"

Vooni continued with her lecture. "The Greater Houses titles are linear. With the Foundation Stone and the five chosen, you can declare your intent. It's a long process and all five must pass the planar trial."

Shae reached out and grabbed his hand, pulling him closer. "We have the advantage now. What's our plan?"

/Alpha Team: Nix: Burn it now, leave nothing but ashes.

Nix, Pon, Vooni, and Shae made short work of the wooden building. Even enhanced wood was still wood, and within a few minutes, it was burned into nothing but glowing cinders.

/Alpha Team: Nix: Even though this House had Fallen, it was hidden here so that it wouldn't be challenged by the lesser houses.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: How strong are the Lesser Houses? Will we be attacked?

/Alpha Team: Vooni: There are some strong ones, however, none of them have Breach Commanders. You must hide the house well until it ascends.

/Alpha Team: Jun Li: Where? Haven maybe?

/Alpha Team: Nix: No, the Embassy. Come with me.

[Create Breach: Glory]

They stepped onto the docks a few moments later.

Vooni stared in wonder at the City. "This is owned by your guild? It's a fine-looking city.

Nix nodded, "the battle you fought with us against the Aquarion Archons was the culmination of months of hard work. During that time we were able to acquire this Island and form our own City-State.

Vooni has joined the Inferno Guild.

Chiba has joined the Inferno Guild.

/Inferno: Nix: Welcome guys, let's head to the Embassy and I'll show you our trial.

Vooni went through the Registration office on the 1st floor and took the trial challenge. On agreement she stopped after a dozen floors, no one doubted that could probably run the tables in the Embassy.

/Inferno: Nix: Follow me.

Nix chose the 90th floor and walked into the staging area.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Here's the Info you had me gather regarding the Quest.

[The Fallen House: Guild Quest]

The Oasis House was once one of the Greater Houses of Solomon City. Infighting among their 12 Pillars caused the house to fall into chaos. You have located the hiding place of the Fallen House.

Option 1: Help rebuild and revitalize the fallen house.

Option 2: Destroy the House of Oasis.

Conditions: Find the Fallen House's Foundation Stone. Defeat the Foundation and Pillar members of the house. Burn the Fallen House and declare your Intent.

Reward: Land Deed: Solomon City

/Inferno: Jun Li: I guess Option one is off the table. Most of the conditions for Option two have been completed.

/Inferno: Vooni: The reward is the Land Deed for the Greater House. The House of Oasis was a bit shabby, but the Lot was very good and quite spacious.

Nix walked slowly toward the entrance to the Instance. "Yeah well... we have a saying here in Inferno."

/Inferno: Jun Li: Prey waits.

/Inferno: Vooni: I like that.

[Do you wish to Initiate the House Planar Trial]

"Yes."

The veil that blurred the instance fell away when Nix and his companions stepped through it. A large stone platform was the only thing visible.

/Alpha Team: Semmi: Where did the building go?

Jun Li nudged Nix and pointed to the edge of the platform, one of the stones was missing.

Nix held up a hand to signal that everyone else should wait and walked toward the missing piece. When he approached it the empty square glowed.

[Place the Foundation Stone?]

"Yes."

The Foundation Stone has been removed from your Inventory, this item can not be retrieved at this time.

Five Squares set in a circle lit up in the middle of the Stone Platform.

[Are you ready to choose your Foundation?]

/Inferno: Nix: Chiba, Rhylia, Shae, and Vooni please step onto the lit squares.

Vooni stepped onto the nearest square, immediately the glowing surface of the stone was replaced with the image of a black dragon.

[Foundation Stone accepted: 1/5]

Shae was next, she confidently stepped onto the next stone, the glowing was instantly replaced with the image of a multi-colored Salamander.

Vooni gasped when she saw it, her face lighting up in a smile. "You're an Iridescent Salamander?

Shae nodded. "Yep."

[Foundation Stone accepted: 2/5]

Chiba's old face wore a look of determination. "Thank you, Nix, for giving me a chance to face my greatest failure."

Chiba stepped onto the next stone and disappeared.

Rhylia looked more curious than scared. "I too wish to thank you Nix. I would still be hiding in Pinnacle without your intervention. I definitely won't fail you."

Nix waited until she stepped onto the next stone and disappeared.

/Inferno: Nix: Not sure how long this usually takes, do you want me to send you back, Vooni?

/Inferno: Vooni: No. Thanks to the Cai'Song Battle, I have no obligations for two weeks.

/Inferno: Shae: Fight hard Nix.

/Inferno: Fajii: You can do it.

"Right." Nix stepped onto the last glowing square and disappeared from sight.

******************

An hour later Vooni was sitting at Nix's dining room table. Inferno was once again making themselves at home in Nix's house. The dragon-descendant had been studying each member carefully.

/Inferno: Vooni: Okay, I've been trying to figure out who are Pon the Magnificents Eleven wives. I'm only coming up with Shae for sure, but I think I can guess the rest.

/Inferno: Shae: Eleven? That's quite the number, let's play a game then.

/Inferno: Pon: I don't have eleven wives.

/Inferno: Wind: Yeah, that's because you are just Pon. Nix is Pon the Magnificent.

/Inferno: Pon: What kind of bullshit is that? He can't steal my name!

Hyai walked in from the kitchen and placed a half-dozen mugs of [Semmi's Golden] in front of Vooni.

/Inferno: Vooni: That's a bit much, even for me.

Vooni had taken off her armor and wore a sleeveless shirt that showed off her defined muscles. The small horns protruding out of her forehead made her look like a Demon Queen. She ran a hand through her short black hair and grabbed one of the mugs.

/Inferno: Ronnie: Let's make it a game. You guess the names of the 'wives.' Incorrect answers mean you drink.

/Inferno: Pon: The rest of us drink when you get them right.

/Inferno: Shae: I'm in.

[Whisper: Semmi to Shae] Nix doesn't have any wives.

[Whisper: Shae to Semmi] We three have decided.

[Whisper: Semmi to Shae] Really? Tell me how to do that... Maybe the person I like is too dense.

Shae smiled sweetly at the Archon Trainer and grabbed a mug. "Let's start..."

*******************

[Planar Trial: Breach Commander Nix]

You stand at the cusp of a long and bloody campaign. Before you is one last mission, destroy Fassa Rogan, the enemy Archon. All your supplies, personnel and equipment will be delegated by you. You have been given the necessary funds. Your enemy will choose after you and react according to your choices. No charges will be incurred by using your personal gear, skills or companions.

Battle Sight: Frozen Lake

Available Funds: 500,000 credits

Armor and Weapon Shop [Pull Down Menu]

Alliance Force [Pull Down Menu]

Nix activated the Alliance Force menu and studied the different troops he could use. "Shit... I should have waited until Morti woke up."

[Available Troops]

1) Mages: Water, Fire, Air: 100cr.

2) Healers: 500 cr.

3) Dragon Mounts 5000 cr.

4) Snow Leopard Mount 1000 cr.

4) Infantry 25 cr.

5) Mounted Knight 200cr.